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Laredo residents press council for independent studies and transparency on proposed border wall and buoy system
Summary
Residents and local experts told Laredo city council the proposed border wall and river buoys could increase flood risk, trap debris and threaten the city's drinking water; the council voted to hear public comments before an executive session and to seek additional technical data.
LAREDO, Texas — Dozens of residents, veterans and local experts used the City Council's public-comment period on March 16 to urge the city to demand full engineering plans and independent flood-risk and environmental reviews before allowing any section of the federal border wall or a buoy barrier to be installed in the Rio Grande.
The comments followed briefing materials and a privately commissioned analysis (the Tompkins report) that several speakers cited as forecasting significant increases in flood pressure and debris capture if buoys are installed. "If any of our bridges are destroyed or even if they are just damaged and have to be closed for prolonged repair, this can have serious consequences for our local economy," said Adrian Tristan, a District 5 resident (public comment), adding: "The decisions that you…
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